Formerly a clinical dietitian, Colby noticed a “revolving door” trend of clients who made eating changes to address chronic conditions—but often found themselves back in the clinic with repeat or new issues. So she turned to preventative work.

As the county’s SHIP coordinator, Colby collaborates with Healthy Northland, which comprises the health boards of the seven northeastern Minnesota counties, to promote and educate for active, tobacco-free living and healthy eating among more than 300,000 area residents.

She’s focused on strategies to promote healthy eating in local schools and the wider community, including a farm-to-institution program through Riverwood Healthcare Center, the local hospital, and a monthly meal made from scratch through an Aitkin County farm-to-school program. Read more here.